What is the difference between a Hindu and Hindutva?
What is the difference between a Hindu and Hindutva? Elaborate quoting Damodar Vinayak Savarkar's book 'Hindutva; Who is a Hindu?
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The concepts of "Hindu" and "Hindutva" represent distinct ideas in Indian religious, cultural, and political discourse. Understanding the difference between these terms is crucial, especially when examining the writings of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, particularly his influential work "Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?".
Hindu
Definition: A Hindu is a person who practices Hinduism, which is one of the major world religions originating in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is characterized by a diversity of beliefs and practices but is generally centered around the Vedas, Upanishads, epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and a multitude of gods and goddesses.
Religious and Cultural Identity: Being Hindu typically implies adherence to the religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions associated with Hinduism. This includes practices like worship (puja), rituals, festivals, and philosophical beliefs.
Hindutva
Definition: Hindutva, literally meaning "Hinduness," is a term coined by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar to describe an ideology that seeks to define Indian culture in terms of Hindu values. It is not strictly a religious concept but a form of cultural and political nationalism.
Political Ideology: Hindutva emphasizes the idea of India as a Hindu nation (Rashtra). It promotes the idea that Indian culture is inherently tied to Hindu culture and advocates for a unification of the Indian people under a common Hindu identity, often to the exclusion or subordination of other religious and cultural identities.
Key Differences
Scope:
Hindu: Refers to individuals and their personal religious practices and beliefs.
Hindutva: A broader socio-political ideology that aims to shape national identity and policy based on Hindu cultural norms.
Inclusivity:
Hindu: Inclusive of a wide range of beliefs, practices, and sects within Hinduism, often accommodating a pluralistic approach.
Hindutva: Often perceived as exclusivist, promoting a singular national identity that can marginalize non-Hindu communities.
Objective:
Hindu: Focused on personal and communal religious practices.
Hindutva: Focused on political mobilization, cultural nationalism, and the assertion of Hindu values in public and political life.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's "Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?"
Savarkar’s book is a foundational text for the Hindutva movement. Here are some key points from the book:
Definition of Hindutva:
Savarkar differentiates between "Hinduism" as a religion and "Hindutva" as a cultural and political identity. He defines Hindutva in broader terms that include geography, race, and culture, beyond just religious beliefs.
Who is a Hindu?:
According to Savarkar, a Hindu is someone who considers India as both their "Punya Bhoomi" (holy land) and "Pitru Bhoomi" (fatherland). This definition intentionally excludes Muslims and Christians, whose holy lands lie outside India.
Cultural Nationalism:
Savarkar’s Hindutva promotes the idea of cultural nationalism where the cultural identity of India is synonymous with the Hindu identity. This forms the basis for a collective national consciousness.
Critique of Colonialism:
Savarkar emphasizes the need to resist colonial influences and revive what he sees as the true essence of Indian culture, which he equates with Hindu culture.
Quotes from "Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?"
On Hindu Identity: "Hindutva is not a word but a history. Not only the spiritual or religious history of our people as at times it is mistaken to be, but a history in full."
On Cultural Unity: "A Hindu means a person who regards this land of Bharatvarsha, from the Indus to the Seas, as his Fatherland as well as his Holy Land, that is, the cradle land of his religion."
On Nationalism: "The term Hindu, historically a territorial designation, assumed a cultural significance, and gradually came to mean the people who lived in the land beyond the Indus."
Conclusion
The distinction between "Hindu" and "Hindutva" lies primarily in the scope and intent of each concept. While "Hindu" pertains to the religious and cultural practices of individuals, "Hindutva" is an ideological framework aimed at establishing a cohesive national identity based on Hindu cultural values. Savarkar's "Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?" lays the groundwork for this ideology by defining the Hindu identity in broad cultural and territorial terms, emphasizing a unifying national consciousness rooted in Hindu culture.
List the religions practising Monotheism and polytheism
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Here are lists of religions that practice monotheism and polytheism:
Monotheistic Religions
Monotheism is the belief in a single, all-powerful deity.
Christianity:
Belief in one God who exists in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.
Islam:
Belief in one God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad.
Judaism:
Belief in one God (Yahweh) who revealed himself to the prophets including Moses.
Sikhism:
Belief in one God (Waheguru) who is formless and eternal.
Zoroastrianism:
Belief in one God (Ahura Mazda), though some interpretations consider it dualistic due to the concept of Angra Mainyu.
Baha'i Faith:
Belief in one God who has revealed himself through various prophets including Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and Baha'u'llah.
Polytheistic Religions
Polytheism is the belief in multiple deities, each with different powers and domains.
Hinduism:
Belief in multiple gods and goddesses like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and others.
Ancient Greek Religion:
Belief in gods like Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, and others.
Ancient Roman Religion:
Belief in gods like Jupiter, Juno, Neptune, Venus, and others.
Norse Religion:
Belief in gods like Odin, Thor, Freyja, Loki, and others.
Egyptian Religion:
Belief in gods like Ra, Osiris, Isis, Anubis, and others.
Shinto:
Belief in kami (spirits or gods) that inhabit natural objects, ancestors, and the world.
Mesoamerican Religions (Aztec, Mayan, etc.):
Belief in gods like Quetzalcoatl, Huitzilopochtli, and others.
Celtic Religion:
Belief in gods like Lugh, Dagda, Morrigan, and others.
Slavic Paganism:
Belief in gods like Perun, Veles, and Mokosh.
Hybrid/Varied Beliefs
Some religions or belief systems do not fit neatly into monotheistic or polytheistic categories and may incorporate elements of both, or emphasize one supreme deity among many.
Hinduism (Certain Interpretations):
While generally polytheistic, some interpretations emphasize a single supreme deity (e.g., Vaishnavism, Shaivism).
Taoism:
Includes worship of multiple deities, but also emphasizes a single, transcendent Tao.
Certain Indigenous Religions:
Often have a complex understanding of the divine, with both monotheistic and polytheistic elements.
Neo-Paganism:
Modern religious movements that often revive polytheistic traditions but can vary widely in their beliefs.
These lists provide an overview of major monotheistic and polytheistic religions, though there are many nuances and variations within each tradition.
